Busting the Illusion

I’m here to come clean. To set the record straight in a matter of speaking. Here you go…the truth you may not want to hear…

Starting and Running a Business Takes Work

There, I said it. I had to. Because I believe too many people are under the illusion that it doesn’t.

Just like anything worthwhile in life, you get out of it what you put into it. A business is no different.

When I used to run marathons, I had to train. That meant running 60-70 miles a week and hitting the gym to lift weights. I had to prepare my body to run 26.2 miles; I couldn’t just wake up one way and go run a marathon. The key was, I LOVED running. So I enjoyed “the work.” And, after completing each race, I had an amazing sense of accomplishment. I still do, knowing I have done something that most people never do in their life. Isn’t that what’s life is about? Living, experiencing, GOING FOR IT?

When I started my first business back in 1998, I knew it was going to take some effort.

So, I approached it like a marathon – I knew I was in it for the long haul. Again the key was I stepped into a business doing something I enjoyed. And, I had a big reason why I wanted that business to be successful – I wanted the freedom to be home with my kids. But I knew that meant I would have to work to make that happen. I couldn’t just play all day and expect the business to succeed. And once again, putting in the effort, doing something I enjoyed paid off. I was able to be home with my kids, have a successful business, and I again experienced that incredible sense of accomplishment, knowing I had done something not everyone does.

I often say that starting and running your own business is a lot tougher than just working for someone else.

So the next time you say you want your own business because you don’t want a job, think about what you are saying. In many ways, your own business is like a job – actually it’s more like 5-10 jobs, because you’re not just doing your little piece of the pie, you’re running the whole show. And, there’s no guaranteed paycheck, it’s all on your shoulders to generate that paycheck.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being in my own business.

It’s the most satisfying and fulfilling thing I’ve ever done in my life, aside from having my kids and maybe running those marathons. It has enabled me to be in control of my future. It allows me to spend my timing doing what I am passionate about. It gives me freedom and flexibility. But it did, and still does, take work to make it happen.

The key is to understand this.

Don’t buy into the illusion that it doesn’t take work – that you just sit back and watch the money roll in. Buying into that illusion only leads to disappointment. Talk to anyone in a successful business and they’ll tell you it took work. Yes, as one of my mentors always said, once the rocket ship is up in orbit (the business is up and running) it doesn’t take as much effort to keep it up there, but it’s going to take some work to get it launched. And most successful business owners I know, are continually striving to do better, and they’re not just resting on their laurels.

Know that you’re going to have to move through some fears.

You’re going to have to do things you’ve never done before. You’re probably going to have to do things that make you uncomfortable. You’re going to have to take some risks. And yes, you’re going to have to invest some money, if you really want to do your business right. That’s how you GROW. Because as another one of my mentors used to say, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” I don’t now about you, but I’ll take a little discomfort and growing over dying any day!

The really cool thing is, when you’re willing to do all of this, and you accomplish your goals, NO ONE can take that away from you. You will have grown, you will have accomplished something most people in this world never do, and yes, you will be living and enjoying your life on your terms.

So true = it takes an incredible amount of time and effort to achieve anything worthwhile = and there are too many ‘experts’ peddling the myth that with a quick package here and a quick info product there, you will have millions of people begging to buy your stuff…..that may be the case for some but for most of us we have that work to do, and therefore the juggling that goes with it!
Susan

And isn’t “the work to do” WHY we are here? To share our gifts, serve, live our lives, be on our journey…just another reminder that there is NO destination. Life (and business) is about the journey, and doing what we do IS that journey. It’s how we grow and experience life. All the more reason to make sure you LOVE what you are doing NOW on the way toward those goals you are striving toward. Otherwise, your life becomes a constant focus on where you are going, and you’re never really happy because you’re never THERE. The real gift is realizing there is NO there, and enjoying each and every day for what it has to offer.

Thanks Debbie I love the post. I can say for myself I’ve gotten caught up in the newest “thing” that is suppose to launch my business which many “Gurus” tout. With your help and guidance I realize it’s a formula of hard work, self-growth and surrounding myself with the right mentors that resonate with me and my style.

I used to do bodybuilding competitions and I equate building your business to building your body. When it’s a passion, first of all, it doesn’t feel like work eventhough that’s all you eat, breathe, sleep. After months and months of building some “muscle” into your business here and losing some “fat” there, your business has evolved. One day, you are standing on “stage” competing with others and shining better than anyone else b/c of the hard work you put into it. And, NOTHING, feels better than winning that “trophy” (more clients, 6 figures, etc.) Nothing!